Stake Conference in Chinle 10-25-2009

Sister Hafen was asked to direct the Primary Choir for the Sunday Morning session of Stake Conference. What an experience - the children came from all over the Reservation. We had a few tears as little girls got used to sitting by someone they didn't know. We had no practices together until that morning (because of distance) and then we just sang..........They sang "I'm trying to be like Jesus" and "Called to Serve" (this is a missionary song that is really sung with power and gusto) and let me tell you - they SANG!!! The spirit was SO strong - many tears in the eyes of parents and people in the congregation. They looked darling and were wonderful. Dress was EVERYTHING............one little boy was in a white tux with tails and we couldn't resist the darling little girls in their Navajo traditional outfits.

Zone Interviews...

Three of the young Elders having a lesson in table etiquette from Sister Beck at zone interviews in Chinle last week.

"Little Friends"

Just another shot of our two little friends who come about 3 times a week for "treats".....we love them............

Navajo Princess Pageant Competition....

Rainy Bennett in our ward invited us to see her participate in the Navajo Princess Competition at her school.............it was so neat - 6 little girls (3rd, 4th, and 5th grade) competed in this event. They had a panel of judges....they were judged on Navajo language as they presented themselves - introducing their clans first and then themselves. Then they did dress, moccasin, bling (jewelry), and hair competitions. They did a talent number. Three of them sang with their drums, one made blue corn meal much on a little hot plate - stirring it with her little bundle of sticks as she explained on the microphone what she was making. It is cornmeal and then the juniper ash (which turns it blue)........Elder Hafen got a taste (however he was not very fond of it!!!) Rainy did a cradle board demonstration - it is so fascinating to watch and she described it so well. Each piece of the cradle board represents something. They put white shells on the left if it is for a girl and blue turquoise on the right if it is for a boy. The left side boards represent Father Sky and the right Side - mother earth. Great night!! Rainy was chosen as 1st runner up - we were proud of her!

Saturday Adventure.......

Another wonderful day of incredible experiences as we were invited to go to the private family property of Johanna Henderson...............we saw things that she asked we not to show others....but we wanted you to see the beauty of the area - just not details.............it was just a wonderful day with such powerful feelings and experiences. These things are very sacred to these people.....and we can see why!

Party On.......

Two member families hosted a fun party for all the new converts, reactivated people and inactive...it was a blast and everyone had such a good time. What a fun way to fellowship. This work is so great and we feel so blessed to be here.........

Ganado, Arizona

We were asked to speak in the church in Ganado - it is just a branch there and we had about 45 people there I think. It was a fun day and then we had lunch with the Senior Missionary couple serving there..........beautiful drive over the Summit that morning.

October Career Workshop......

We are loving doing the Career workshop - only had 4 this month - but it was a delight....it is so wonderful to see them gain confidence and grow during the day.........what great people! We have had quite a few get jobs this month - for which we are grateful. The church is doing a whole new website - it will be out in January as a finished project, but we are in the training and trial stages now and it is BUSY!!!

Another Birthday Party from the Party Masters.....

Victor & Roberta's little Oriana had her 6th birthday - they did the party at the church....they do know how to make a party happen! We had a blast.............

Baptism -

Another Baptism - Ramona Tso (pronounced S0) - She asked Elder Hafen to baptize her - Sister Hafen playing the music............Nice day! We are blessed with so many wonderful people coming into the church. Ramona is just a delight! She and her daughter were in our office working and then attended a Career Workshop - we helped fellowship them.......great feeling!

Blessing on the Land............

This was such a neat experience - the missionaries in this area and some of the local Priesthood leaders went on an early morning to a mountain land on President Brown's property and had a special prayer and blessing on the land that the people here would be blessed to accept the gospel and the things which bind the people down would be lifted. It was a beautiful morning with sunshine filtering through the trees...........great spirit!

Navajo Rug............

We had Wena Jesus' mother weave us a rug. The gray, white and beige colors are from her own sheep which she sheared, made into yarn and wove into this rug design which is called "The Ganado Red" pattern............we love it! Fun to have someone we know weave for us.

Tuesday October 13th.............Chun Dinner

The Chun Family invited us for dinner. They are from Hawaii - Brother Chun is the principal of the Window Rock Elementary school. They are a great family. The two children they have at home now are adopted Truston and Imona.......the dinner was traditional Hawaian.....Yummy - Pork and Cabbage over rice, corn, pineapple/orange juice, and coconut pudding!! Fun night - Elder & Sister Cain (from Moses Lake) were with us too.

Great Trip.......................

We loved the week end and created again "Heart Pictures" that we'll remember forever! Thanks Dr. Ball for coming!

Yummy......

Carl peeled a piece of the cactus and let us try the tasty treat...........it was amazing to us the many plants that they used for food..................

Carl Begay's Family Hogan....

Carl took us to his family Hogan............and explained all that happened there....he is rebuilding it to live in again. The picture reminded me of Dad - Carl had painted it and several others that he had hanging on the wall.....

Canyon de Chelly in all its glory.................

We had a spectacular trip to the bottom of Canyon de Chelly......we had arranged to have President Begay (2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency) and a guide he'd arranged - Carl Begay to take us to the bottom of the Canyon where Carl had family property by the White House Ruins......they were wonderful guides and the 6 hour trip was fantastic. The beauty of the sun breaking through the wonderfully colored trees was breath taking - we were stopping for pictures every few minutes............the timing was perfect as we arrived about 9:00. They had a wonderful knowledge of the Canyon and its history and their history there as well.......We loved the day!

Go Dr Ball..............

We were grateful for Dr. Ball's pickup - totally equipped 4-wheel drive...........as you can see it was an essential thing for Canyon de Chelly.